Enjoying an Emma Bridgewater Afternoon Tea

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Back in August, my husband and I celebrated 13 years of marriage. It doesn’t feel that long to be honest but then in other ways it does, we have done so much together during those years, it’s flown by. As an anniversary gift from my husband, he treated me to an afternoon without the children, to enjoy an Emma Bridgewater Afternoon Tea. I was so excited, what a treat!

For the love of pattern

I am a huge Emma Bridgewater fan. I love the simple designs and how they can instantly brighten your day. With the iconic colourful polka dots to the Christmas pink and gold stars, who knew surface pattern was such a feast for the eyes? My husband knows how to make me smile and treating me to an afternoon to visit the Emma Bridgewater factory cafe in Stoke-On-Trent would do just that. We previously visited for our 9th wedding anniversary (9 years is traditionally celebrated with pottery) and it was a really lovely afternoon out. I enjoyed the visit so much that I booked up for a second visit later in the month to take my Sister, along with our Mom, as an early birthday treat!

Covid secure

Considering we’re in the middle of a pandemic, the set up at Emma Bridgewater cafe was brilliant. My husband had pre-booked our timed tickets online, unfortunately there are no walk-ins permitted currently due to capacity regulations. Upon entry to the cafe, we had our forehead temperatures taken and there is hand sanitiser on the wall. We were asked to provide contact details for the track and trace system and staff were all wearing visors, it felt really safe.

Delicious selection of treats

As part of the Afternoon Tea offering in the cafe, you can enjoy a pot of tea (or other hot drink, my Sister enjoyed a caramel latte) and you’re served a selection of high tea traditional sandwiches with a selection of mini cakes plus scones with jam and clotted cream.

During my first visit, my husband and I enjoyed a mini pie with sandwiches and lettuce garnish on the first plate. During my second visit with my Sister and Mom, we enjoyed a sausage roll with sandwiches and lettuce garnish.

The cake selection was lovely. It was all very fresh and tasted really nice. The variety of cakes was just right whether you love a cube of cheesecake, a square of chocolate brownie, a slice of vanilla custard or a forest gateaux sponge. In addition to the scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream topping the afternoon tea stand.

A nod to it’s heritage

One of the highlights for me aside from the cake, was to be surrounded by all the wonderful pottery on display. There’s a wonderful dresser on the wall with a selection of Emma Bridgewater decorated pottery and it’s so pretty to look at. There’s vintage style posters on the walls plus a collection of various pottery pieces which is a nod back to the heritage of the site, which dates back to 1883.

Shop the outlet

Of course no trip to Emma Bridgewater would be complete without a trip to the two shops on site. There’s the onsite outlet selling discontinued products and seconds and a shop which sells the perfect pieces of pottery, electrical appliances and all the other wonderful pieces that they sell.

Again the outlet was covid secure with limited numbers allowed in at any one time, hand sanitiser was available and masks are needed to be worn inside. There was also a decontamination station where if you pick up a piece of pottery then decide you don’t want it, the staff will wipe it down and replace it on the shelf for you.

Throughout September, Emma Bridgewater Afternoon tea is an offer at just £10 per person. We paid £12.50 each for our visits and think it is really brilliant value for money. The food is delicious and the pot of tea was just right. If you’re looking for an afternoon out somewhere and fancy a nibble of cake or two, you can’t go wrong at Emma Bridgewater.

To book and find out more visit emmabridgewater.co.uk

We bought all our own Afternoon Tea tickets and several souvenirs from the shop. I’m a huge EB fan so thought my readers would enjoy reading about it too!